IBTA e-News July 2016 released

[25 July 2016] The IBTA's monthly e-News has now been released and has been emailed to all subscribers.

Some of the highlights from the July issue include:

A research study has found that gross total resection (complete tumour removal) extends survival in glioblastoma patients, compared to subtotal (incomplete) resection. A separate study on mice has found that glioma tumour cells left in the brain after removal surgery grow more aggressively than the original tumour.

Research published in the British Journal of Cancer has made the unexpected finding that high blood sugar levels are linked to a reduced risk of meningioma.

Experiments on mice have shown that glioma cells use fats (fatty acids) as their primary fuel source. It had been previously thought that glucose was the main fuel source for tumour cells. The authors suggest that previous research did not reflect how tumour cells actually function within the brain.

Novocure's second generation Optune, a Tumor Treating Fields (TTFields) device, has been approved for use in the United States by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

A new version of the UK Cancer Drugs Fund (CDF) comes into effect on 29thJuly 2016. a coalition of 15 leading UK cancer charities previously expressed “deep concern” that the new CDF will ultimately reduce the number of patients receiving vital treatments.

Our monthly e-News highlights items of interest to our international brain tumour community and is emailed to nearly 7,000 recipients. It gives a round-up of the latest research and treatment developments, news about brain tumour patient organisations around the world, and key forthcoming neuro-oncology scientific and patient conferences. You can sign up to receive the e-News by registering here.